Simon Rimmer on grilling celebrities for his podcast and the beauty of a dirty kebab

Sunday Brunch presenter Simon Rimmer, 57, on junk meals, boxing to remain match and interviewing foodies for his podcast, Grilling.

Be sincere, do high cooks ever take pleasure in junk meals?

Yes, I’ve no drawback admitting that. I like a Burger King and I’m not averse to a dirty kebab on the method dwelling. I’m a man of quite simple tastes. While I wish to eat properly, I additionally like a bit of filth!

Have you ever had any disasters in the kitchen?

Sometimes you spend a very long time creating a dish and it goes on the menu and no one buys it. Years in the past we did an aubergine curry. We all thought it was wonderful nevertheless it simply didn’t promote. It’s 25 years in the past and it nonetheless hurts.

Another time I used to be cooking with Ashley Banjo on Sunday Brunch and we had been making a spiced cauliflower dish. We bought carried away speaking and I didn’t realise that the warmth on the pan had stayed on excessive. When you place chilli flakes into a actually scorching pan, it’s nearly like cyanide gasoline has been let off. Everyone in the studio was coughing and couldn’t see.

What’s the secret of the success of your TV present, Sunday Brunch?

It’s completely proper for a Sunday morning, I don’t assume it will work on every other day. I take it very severely however we don’t take ourselves too severely. In some respects it has extra in widespread with a radio present than a tv present. You can dip in and out of it – you don’t want to take a seat there watching for three hours.

Why have you ever began your individual podcast, Grilling?

I’d been contemplating it for ages however I solely felt I needed to do one if I had one thing I needed to say or discuss. What began it was a dialog with chef Tom Kerridge. He informed me that one of the large turning factors in his life was when he learn White Heat by Marco Pierre White. It made me realise that in all walks of life all of us have these pivotal moments, whether or not they be intentional or unintended.

What was your pivotal second?

I began my first restaurant, Greens, in 1990 and two years later a nationwide newspaper described it as one of the 10 most fun new eating places in the UK. We had been a small veggie restaurant in a Manchester suburb and all of a sudden we went: ‘Wow, we’re doing one thing that’s gaining momentum.’

Why do you will have a vegetarian restaurant once you’re completely satisfied to eat meat?

When we had been seeking to purchase a restaurant we had no cash so we had to purchase someplace that was low-cost. If the web site was a Turkish restaurant then I’d now be the proud proprietor of a Turkish restaurant.

Who have you ever interviewed for your podcast?

The record is wonderful and contains Nadiya Hussain, The Hairy Bikers, Gok Wan, Ainsley Harriott, Rick Stein and Adam Richman from Man V Food.

I interview so many individuals on Sunday Brunch but when I’m fortunate I’ll get eight minutes speaking to somebody. With the Grilling podcast I get an hour. It’s a large distinction.

What impressed you to grow to be a chef?

My mum and dad each prepare dinner. When I grew up in the ’70s it was uncommon for dads to prepare dinner. Both my grandmothers had been wonderful cooks too. When I used to be a scholar I labored in bars and eating places. I’ve at all times beloved it.

Growing up in the 1970s, it’s essential to have eaten your justifiable share of Angel Delight and spaghetti hoops…

There’s nothing unsuitable with butterscotch Angel Delight, and I’ve nonetheless bought a smooth spot for spaghetti hoops and macaroni cheese from a tin. The ’70s was a time after we celebrated scientific initiative over style – issues like prepared meals and processed meals. But my mum needed to prepare dinner so I used to be jealous of the undeniable fact that my mates had been having Smash and frozen pancakes. I missed out in some respects.

How do you keep in form?

I field 3 times a week. I used to run however I’ve bought knackered hips, I snapped my Achilles tendon a number of years in the past and my knees are shot. I’m obsessive about boxing.

Are you discovering this third lockdown tough?

All of our 14 eating places have been shut and we’re a comparatively sturdy enterprise however we’re not 100% secure. I’m very lucky that I’ve a second revenue by Sunday Brunch however I’m discovering for the first time that I’m struggling to be constructive and enthusiastic in the mornings.

After collaborating in Strictly Come Dancing, do you fancy doing every other exhibits?

I’d do I’m A Celebrity however in Australia reasonably than Wales. I’m too outdated for Dancing On Ice – Strictly was onerous sufficient on my physique.

Grilling with Simon Rimmer, in affiliation with Weber BBQs, is accessible now on play.acast.com/s/grilling